Chinese and Middle Eastern Relations

 

The twenty first century has seen a considerable increase in the economic and political influence wielded by China all over the world. This has especially been the case in resource-rich regions, which have essentially become its target because China is one of the largest consumers of raw materials. As the second largest economy in the world, China has sought to capitalize on its position to ensure that it advances both its national and strategic agendas through the attainment of the support of other countries. The attitude and approach adopted by this country towards others has been pragmatic, with the aim of focusing on economic matters rather than politics.

There are several questions that come about because of the potential of China becoming one of the most influential countries in the world in future. Among these is the direction which its relations with Middle Eastern countries will take especially in the wake of a decline in American influence in the region. In addition, there will be need to find out the manner through which China’s megaprojects, such as the Silk Road, which will encompass a considerable part of the Middle East, will affect its relationship with the countries in the region. In order to answer these questions, it will be essential to conduct a study of the developments that have taken place in China’s relations with countries in the Middle East over the years, and the direction towards which they will be heading in future.

The main argument of the paper will be that the role of China in the Middle East will increase considerably over time and that it will be one of the most influential powers in the region. This is based on the assumption that as the United States essentially scales down its influence; China will step in to fill the vacuum. The manner through which the ongoing Gulf Crisis has been handled by the United States has shown its waning influence in the region because it has failed to put its allies in line. China, on the other hand, is a country that will likely diversify from its energy dependency on the region, and instead seek to build bilateral relations with Middle Eastern countries in such a way that there is mutual benefit. Chinese investment is likely to increase, especially considering that some of the oil producers in the region are diversifying their interests in order to survive a decline in export revenues.

The main sources of support for this study will come from a review of the most recent literature concerning the Middle East and China and the way that their relationship has and continues to develop. The analysis of the literature will ensure that there is the development of a perspective concerning the future relations between Middle Eastern countries and China that are apart from the energy trade. It will seek to show that China’s influence in the Middle East is just beginning and that in time, it will become one of the major players in the region.

Alexander the Great

 

Alexander the Great is one of the most famous figures in the ancient world and this is especially the case considering that he was not only a monarch, but also a conqueror. The achievements of this individual are further enhanced because he died at the prime of his life when he was expected to have continued his massive conquests. In this paper, there will be an attempt to address the reasons behind Alexander being called the Great, and these include his ambition, his being a conqueror, and finally, his being one of the undefeated generals in history.

One of the most significant reasons behind Alexander being called the Great was that he was extremely ambitious. This is because despite having taken the Macedonian throne at the age of twenty, he was an individual who saw beyond Macedonia and Greece in general. His father, Philip, said to Alexander “….you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. Macedonia is too small for you” (Gergel, 2004, p.5).

The result was that he was inspired to ensure that he undertook one of the biggest military projects in his age through his attempt to confront the greatest power of the time, the Persian Empire. It is this ambition that led him to achieve the greatness that has come to be associated with his from that time onwards.

Alexander the Great’s claim to greatness also came about because he was a conqueror. His conquests were among the most significant in the ancient world because they ensured that Greek or Hellenistic culture came about because of them. In addition, Alexander confronted one of the greatest military machines of the time, that of the Persian Empire, and ended up defeating it with his much lesser resources. His conquest of the Persian Empire not only brought it under his control, but it essentially brought an end to the empire that had been founded by Cyrus the Great. One of his companions is said to have commented that “The conqueror takes over the possessions of the conquered and they should be called his” (Gergel, 2004, p.50).

Another claim to fame for Alexander was that he was one of the undefeated generals of his time. His undefeated streak was a testament to his brilliant generalship and this was to such an extent that he managed to conquer the largest empire in the world at the time within a decade. The way that he led his armies to conquest, especially considering that he was always at the forefront of battle, ensured the loyalty of his soldiers, and these more often than not fought harder for him.

In conclusion, Alexander the Great was able to capture the imagination, not only of his own people, but also those of his contemporaries, to such an extent that he was able to advance his ambitions of conquest. His being undefeated was considered to have been based on his being favored by the gods, and this was the reason why he ended up being worshipped. Thus, Alexander attained his greatness because of his actions as one the greatest conquerors as well as undefeated generals in history.

The Story of Galvarino

 An indigenous man of the Mapuche people stands in the bosom of nature. He is a warrior. At sixty-seven, his body has had a lifetime’s worth of tempering, toughened to a degree that most warriors never live to reach. Every steely muscle fibre whispers a litany of hard-won victories grasped treading through bloodstained greenery, to stare into the face of brutality. He closes his eyes and feels the mild southern Chilean breeze caressing his cheeks and sifting through his long, black hair. The time for him take up arms draws near once again, and the mere thought of dancing with death makes his heart beat quicker and blood run hot. He opens his eyes and holds his hands out in front, forming them into fists and clenching tightly in an effort to contain his excitement.

What he doesn’t yet know though, is that he’ll return without them.

This warrior, Galvarino, has already cemented his fame as a key figure in the ongoing war against the invading Spaniards. A cocktail of fortune and finesse had allowed him to evade the reaper’s scythe altogether until now, when in the following Battle of Lagunillas, it would finally manage to nick him. Along with a hundred and fifty other Mapuche warriors, he would end up captured and imprisoned, his side defeated in ferocious hand-to-hand combat despite having vastly greater numbers. Instead of just killing the captured Mapuche though, the Spanish decided to make an example of them by chopping their hands and noses off, before sending them back home.

Galvarino, with a mind even more robust than his body, offered up his hands and watched the axe fall without flinching.

Escaping with his nose intact, Galvarino wasn’t dejected nor retiring; he appeared before general Caupolicán and the council of war with moxie, showing the mutilations and demanding that they put greater effort into the fighting the colonists. Inspired by his bravery, they decided to make him commander of his own squadron and so, Galvarino prepared to fight once again.

Undeterred by his injuries, he fastened two knives to his arms and stepped to the front of his men, and said:

"Ea, my brothers, see that you all fight very well, you do not want be as I am without hands, so that you will not be able to work nor to eat, if you do not give it to them!" He raised his arms high, showing them to ignite their spirits, adding: "Those that you are going to fight with cut them, and also will do to whichever of you they take, and nobody is allowed to flee but to die, because you die defending your mother country!"

The vicious battle that ensued would become known as the Battle of Millarapue, lasting from dawn through to the the early afternoon. Galvarino drove himself into the general’s squadron and clashed with the forty-five years younger general himself, whilst also killing his second-in-command. It wasn’t enough though, as the Spanish once again managed to conquer them. Knowing not to repeat his mistake of letting a warrior like Galvarino go free again, the general ordered his execution.

Not before an offer was presented to him though — switch sides and join the Spanish. After all, his prowess would have been valuable to them. Loyal and defiant to the last though, he didn’t even consider it and gave his cutting refusal: “I would rather die than live like you, and I’m only sorry that my death will keep me from tearing you to pieces with my teeth.”